G E O T E X T I L E S stronger by design
G E O T E X T I L E S no.1 the UK s woven manufacturer Don & Low are market leaders in the manufacture of a wide range of industrial textile products. Our international success has been developed over the last two centuries based on an outstanding reputation for advancing standards and developing technology. Under the brand name Lotrak, Don & Low has been at the forefront of geotextile application and design since the mid 1970 s. We have developed a comprehensive range of geotextiles with excellent mechanical and hydraulic properties suited to a wide range of construction and civil engineering applications. Lotrak geotextiles - one product/5 functions Todays range of Lotrak geotextiles are the product of 25 years experience responding to the requirements of engineers around the world. Separation, reinforcement, filtration, erosion protection and drainage are all areas where Lotrak geotextiles excel. Recognised mechanical and hydraulic excellence Mechanical properties to withstand the harsh and damaging loadings imposed during installation. Hydraulic properties manufactured to factory controlled accuracy to ensure the controlled filtration of soils for years ahead. Over 90% of the damage on a geotextile usually occurs during installation. Lotrak has a high CBR puncture resistance and low cone drop penetration which ensures that this damage is limited and the strength is retained. Drainage systems that facilitate natural filtration The most efficient filtration results are achieved from the formation of a natural soil filter. The variety of pore size distributions available in the Lotrak range make them ideally suited to initiate the natural filtration process to take place.
Our new purpose built Wovens and Group Management facility, at over 23,000m 2, is the most advanced weaving facility in Europe. This represents the culmination of over 7m investment. stronger by design 1 2 3 4 5 separation reinforcement filtration erosion protection drainage Frictional restraint Membrane support Subgrade support Sub-base restraint Local reinforcement Geotextile Separation & Reinforcement Function Natural filter forms in the soil outside the drain Water Water Geotextile Pipe Water Geotextile wrapped filter drain
testing and CE Marking CE marking demonstrates conformity to The Construction Products Directive (CPD 89/106/EEC). A CE mark lays down compliance testing to a new range of harmonised European geotextile standards along with stringent certification of Factory Production Control (FPC). In October 2002 CE marking for geotextiles became mandatory in the majority of European countries. Lotrak is manufactured, tested and CE marked in accordance with the EN standards, complying fully with the CPD. Lotrak geotextiles used in each application have varying characteristics that are key to their success. In order to summarise these characteristics, the European Standards Committee (CEN) has documented the required characteristics for geotextiles for each specific end use. A separate European standard covers each application and stipulates the different functions, characteristics and test methods to be used. One standard, EN:13249, lists the mechanical and hydraulic properties important to the functions of Filtration, Separation and Reinforcement when used in the construction of roads and other trafficked areas. Characteristic Test Method Function Filtration Separation Reinforcement Tensile strength EN 10319 H H H Elongation at max load EN 10319 A A H Static puncture (CBR) EN 12236 S H H Dynamic perforation EN 918 H A H Characteristic EN 12956 opening size H A - Durability H H H Relevancy H : required for harmonisation A : relevant to all conditions of use S : relevant to specific conditions of use CBR Puncture Resistance (N) Tensile Strength (kn/m) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 woven nonwoven 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 Mass per Unit Area (g/m 2 ) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 CBR puncture versus mass per unit area Tensile strength versus mass per unit area woven nonwoven installation damage resistance dynamic perforation, CBR test & tensile strength Geotextiles of all types can be damaged during installation. The placement of aggregate upon a fabric can cause damage but this can be minimised by good installation practices. Various tests have been developed which seek to model installation damage in the laboratory. The CBR puncture test gives an indication of the ability of the geotextile to withstand slow puncture initiation. It enables the selection of a geotextile with sufficient robustness to minimise installation damage and ensure the required properties are maintained for the service life of a product. The Dynamic Performance test indicates the likely performance of a geotextile when submitted to installation stresses. It provides evidence of the suitability of the geotextile to withstand possible damage in separation and filtration functions, especially when the aggregate placed onto the geotextile is sharp or angular in shape. Woven geotextiles perform better than non-wovens in these tests, (see graphs opposite). 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 Mass per Unit Area (g/m 2 ) NB: The above figures represent typical values for woven & nonwoven geotextiles extracted from a selection of manufacturers data sheets Lotrak geotextiles: manufactured, tested and marked in accordance with the EN standards, complying fully with the Construction Product Directive. (CPD 89/106/EEC) (CE marking is mandatory as from 1st October 2002 in most European countries)
Lotrak geotextiles - 5 functions separation 1 separating the sub base and the sub grade prevents intermixing of construction layers and maintains construction thicknesses keeping expensive aggregates apart from soft ground With Lotrak geotextile 2 reinforcement reinforcing over weak sub grades absorbing stresses that occur when heavy loads pass over the road filtration 3 small enough to control soil particle movement large enough to avoid clogging and maintain waterflow creates bridging zone to promote natural soil filtration erosion protection 4 high resistance to static and dynamic puncture when placed in coastal erosion protection works effective anchorage in the construction attained through frictional interlock drainage 5 allows water to pass through into a filter drain without carrying fine soil particles with it HF grades offer very high waterflows with relatively large pore size distribution
woven geotextiles stronger by design Soil particle size and distribution will differ on each site and for the geotextile to function correctly, the pore size distribution of the geotextile must be carefully matched to the soil conditions. If the pore size is too large all the soil particles will pass through the geotextile; if it is too small, the surface of the geotextile will quickly become clogged and nothing will pass through. The main purpose of the geotextile is to foster the creation of a stable, natural soil filter in the soil itself. The geotextile must hold back the larger particles in the soil, which in turn will hold back smaller particles. Natural soil Filter cake zone Bridging zone Geotextile Waterflow direction Gravel in drain In this type of system where the soil is able to create its own natural filter, water can flow through the geotextiles with a minimum degree of clogging of the geotextile pores. If a geotextile with too small a pore size is used the openings may be blocked even by small soil particles and significant areas of the geotextile will be unable to allow water to pass through. This problem is often more severe when the geotextile has a thick three-dimensional structure and soil particles can become trapped within the geotextile itself. These properties are characteristic of nonwoven geotextiles, particularly needle punched products and thus it is recommended in design that the Geotextiles encourage the build up of a natural soil filter coefficient of permeability for such fabrics should be as much as 100 times that of the soil. In a woven geotextile which is less prone to clogging, the design coefficient need only be 5 to 10 times that of the soil to achieve the same long-term permeability performance. For this reason it is clear that the required minimum permeability value normal to the plane of the geotextile will often be different for woven and nonwoven products. Strength from tapes aligned The apparent opening size of Lotrak woven geotextiles (150µm to 500µm) has been designed to retain larger particles in the filter zone. The pore size of a nonwoven geotextile is generally smaller (40µm to 150µm). As the most efficient filtration results from the formation of a natural soil filter, the spread of pore size distribution available in the Lotrak range makes them ideally suited to initiate the natural filtration process. recommended applications by grade Lotrak Grades Typical Uses 1800 Basic Separation/Filtration 2300 Filtration 2800 Filtration 4000 Coastal protection 25R Basic reinforcement 50R Reinforcement on soft ground 70R Reinforcement on very soft ground HF400 High water application strength in tapes higher tensile strength better CBR resistance lighter in weight more physically robust HF550 High water application All Lotrak grades will separate Other specialized grades available Lotrak 400 Heavyweight Pavelay Composite Trammel II
To request product data sheets or samples, please contact: +44(0)1307 452416 stronger by design design thickness savings using Lotrak Geotextiles Based on 1,000 standard axles and acceptable rut depth of 75mm CBR Design thickness Design thickness Thickness without Geotextile with Lotrak Geotextile savings (mm) (mm) (mm) 1% 615 486 129 1 1 2% 476 371 105 2% 397 306 91 2 1 2% 345 264 81 3% 308 234 74 The appropriate grade of Lotrak will be determined by a number of factors, please call our technical helpline to determine the correct grade. Calculator and Design Guide can be requested by visiting our website www.lotrak.com Technical helpline: +44(0)1307 452632
Don & Low Ltd. Newfordpark House Glamis Road, Forfar Angus DD8 1FR Scotland Tel: +44(0)1307 452200 Fax: +44(0)1307 452300 Email lotrak@donlow.co.uk Visit our website www.lotrak.com Contact our technical helpline +44 (0)1307 452632 Lotrak geotextiles are available from FM 23905 Assured quality & service All Lotrak geotextiles are manufactured under a quality management system in accordance with the provisions of BS/EN ISO 9001:2000, and are independently tested in accordance with the relevant BS EN Methods of Test for Geotextiles by a NAMAS (National Measurement Accreditation Service) Laboratory. Our technical services team is available for advice at all stages of a project, whether at initial design, choice of materials and techniques, or installation of the geotextiles on site. The information contained herein is to the best of our knowledge accurate, but since the circumstances and conditions of use are beyond our control, we do not accept any liability for any loss or damage, however arising, which results directly or indirectly from the use of such information nor do we offer warranty or immunity against patent infringement. International Geosynthetics Society